Air Force Space and Missile Museum

Since opening to the
public in 1966, the museum has introduced millions of
visitors to the history of rocketry and space flight. The
museum grounds encompass two adjoining launch complexes,
Launch Complex 26 and Launch Complex 5/6.

Launch Complex 26
is the site of the
first successful launch of an American satellite, Explorer I, in 1958 by the U.S. Army. Beginning with
early Redstone, Jupiter and Juno flights in 1957, Launch Complex 26
hosted 36 launches until its deactivation in 1963. Three
primates, Gordo, Able and Miss Baker, were launched here in
1958 and 1959, paving the way for future manned space
flights. Launch Complex 26 also served as the site of numerous
Jupiter launches as part of NATO's combat crew training
program through the early 1960s.

Launch Complex 5/6 is the launch site for the earliest Project
Mercury missions. It was from Pad 5 that the first two American astronauts, Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom, were launched into space during 1961.

Click
on the rocket icon at the top of selected pages to see related gift shop items.

SECURITY NOTICE

The Museum located at Launch Complex 26 is currently not accessible due to Hurricane Matthew damage Please visit the
Sands Space History Center which
isOPEN and located near the South Gate of the Cape (outside of
secured areas) No Admission Fee. No security clearance required
and is open 6 days a week (closed on Mondays).